4C - The Drumlanrig Castle and Kirkpatrick Macmillan Tour

Start – Any day of the week.
Distance – 30, 26, 29 and 24 miles (48, 42, 47 and 39 km) with longer options.
Grade – Moderate / Strenuous.
Comments – A unique cycling tour.
Price - £355 per person. 

Tour Features - Below we briefly list the interesting features you will find on each day of the cycling tour. Full information on where to find these features is provided in the Tour Information Pack - supplied on arrival at the welcome meeting.  Route maps and local info leaflets are included in the pack along with our suggestions on the best places to visit and also refreshment stops.
All the cycling routes have of course been selected to provide the best scenery each day between your overnight stops.

Pre-tour accommodation is in Castle Douglas.

Day 1 – Castle Douglas to Thornhill

Distance – 30 miles. Grade – moderate / strenuous.
Terrain – An occasional hill.
Summary – Some peaceful countryside scenery today with Glenkiln Sculptures and loch an ideal midway stop off. Unique cycling historical locations near the end.

Features:

Small villages – pass through three villages, some with services and some nearby. See our info.
Glenkiln Reservoir - a loch in a beautiful location with several hillside sculptures by Epstein, Moore and others.
We have designed an off road detour cycle or short walk trail route to see the sculptures.
Cairn Water Valley – cross this scenic river valley.
Dunscore village – with shop and pub – limited opening – see our info.
River Nith Valley – join the Kirkpatrick Macmillan Cycle Trail with views over this larger valley.
Keir Mill – small village with the nearby smithy where the first pedal cycle was invented in 1839. Also cemetery with Kirkpatrick Macmillan, the inventor is buried. See our tour info.
Thornhill – picturesque small town with tree lined streets. We recommend accommodation and restaurants.

Day 2 – Thornhill Circuit

Distance – 26 miles with more or less miles options.    Grade – Moderate.
Terrain – Undulating and scenic routes.
Summary – Your choice today – we provide the info to only visit Drumlanrig Castle – 8 miles each way – or a tour around this picturesque area.

Features:

Morton Castle – a 4th century ruined castle set beside a loch.
Durisdeer – cul de sac hamlet with 1699 church containing the elaborate Queensberry Marbles.
River Nith – scenic parts with expensive salmon fishing.
Drumlanrig Castle - a 1690 working castle with parts and grounds open to the public. Mountainbiking and other features including the Scottish Cycle Museum – see our info.
Penpont village – passed through on some of the detour route options. Good village pub – we provide opening hours info.
Cone Sculpture – One of the world famous Andy Goldsworthy sculptures in the area. We have info on more which could be a cycle route on their own.

Day 3 –Thornhill to The Glenkens

Distance – 29 miles.    Grade – Moderate / Strenuous.
Terrain – A few hills.
Summary – An upland route passing through some hillside communities including Moniaive as a highlight. Uses some parts of the National Byways Cycle Route.

Features:

Tynron village – a peaceful small village formerly a refuge for Covenanters.
Moniaive – Attractive village with village cross dating from 1638. We recommend a not to be missed tea house and chocolate shop – see our tour info for opening days / hours.
Striding Arches Sculpture – Another Andy Goldsworthy sculpture – detour.
Single Track Moorland Road – single track road with commanding views over the hills – beware of the wandering sheep!
Earlstoun Loch – views over the Loch and Glenkens.
Loch Lochinvar – on detour route.
St John’s Town of Dalry – hillside town with several features – see our info.
Balmaclellan – another hillside village with Old Mortality statue and Scotland’s only Clog and Shoe Workshop. See our info. A detour option.
The Catstrand – art centre with tea room
New Galloway – Scotland’s smallest Royal Burgh. See our info for recommended pubs and restaurants.

Day 4 – The Glenkens to Castle Douglas

Distance – 24 miles.    Grade – Moderate.
Terrain – Downstream, nothing difficult.
Summary – Cycle beside Loch Ken on the Galloway Kite Trail back to Castle Douglas.

Features:

Loch Ken – nearly 10 miles long.
Bennan Viewpoint - maybe not worth the effort!
Mossdale village – with shop – a short detour option to see some red deer close up.
Laurieston village – with pub with limited opening hours and food!
The Gallery – stunning photographic gallery, limited opening.
Bellymack red kite feeding station – arrive at the right time to see the daily feeding spectacle.
Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve – with bird hides beside Loch Ken.
Balmaghie Kirk – great views across Lock Ken on this hilltop church.
Glenlochar barrage – on the River Dee.
Threave Garden – one of Scotland’s finest gardens. Several places of interest which we advise about.
Threave Castle – ring the bell for the boatman to take you to the castle on the island.
Sulwath brewery – a small brewery and visitor centre – a good place to end the tour!
Carlingwark Loch – beside Castle Douglas.
Castle Douglas ‘food town’ – with lots of attractive independent shops.

Tour End